To prepare students for the type of thinking and learning they will need to be scientifically literate individuals in the 21st Century, ACS has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards to guide learning in KG-Grade 10.
In addition to learning about the "Disciplinary Core Ideas" (ie Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Engineering -- See the table above), the NGSS approach also helps students to understand the key Practices involved in scientific learning, and the Cross-Cutting Concepts that are found throughout scientific exploration and understanding.
Practices:
Asking Questions (Science) and Defining Problems (Engineering)
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Using Mathematical and Computational Thinking
Constructing Explanations (Science) and Designing Solutions (Engineering)
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Cross-Cutting Concepts:
Patterns
Cause and Effect
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Systems and System Models
Energy and Matter
Structure and Function
Stability and Change